Maternity cover for expats

Posted by Stephen Whitfield

A recent story about a Canadian mother being charged almost $1 million when her baby was born prematurely during a holiday in Hawaii highlights just how important health insurance is when living or travelling abroad. So when it comes to pregnancy and child birth overseas, 'important' is an understatement. When there are literally two lives to take into consideration, it isn't advisable that you leave anything to chance. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the implications that pregnancy and childbirth overseas can have in relation to health insurance.

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Did you know that taking out a health insurance policy after becoming pregnant is all but impossible?

Our team of international health insurance advisors were recently contacted by a woman who had fallen pregnant while abroad and was looking for health insurance to cover the birth. However, the fact that she was already pregnant meant that no insurance companies could offer her cover.

This is due to the fact that when an insurance company covers an individual, the cost is based on a variety of factors including age, pre-existing medical conditions, location and many more. The cost of insurance is based on the risk that all of these factors pose and the potential costs that any required treatment would incur. When somebody is already pregnant there are guaranteed expenses that the insurance company will have to cover at some stage during maternity, childbirth and aftercare overseas. This makes covering a pregnant individual impractical for insurance companies and not worth the risk.

Whether you are planning a child or not; if there is any risk of falling pregnant, especially in an area where you will not be eligible for free local health care, it is vital you take out an international private medical insurance policy that includes maternity cover. Furthermore, if you know anyone who is trying for a child or could also be left in a vulnerable position, then also make them aware of the implications which child birth can have in relation to medical insurance.